New Jersey Drug Court Program
Economic Impact

Researchers have estimated1 that a baby born of a drug-addicted
mother will cost the medical and social systems between
$750,000 to 1.5 million dollars per baby. Thanks to
New Jersey’s
Drug Court Program, 48 drug-free babies were born to
formerly drug addicted mothers, saving
society between 36 and 72 million dollars.

The RAND Corporation2 found that for heavy users of
cocaine, treatment costs one-seventh as much as enforcement
to achieve the same reduction in cocaine use.

Every dollar spent on treatment leads to a $7.46 reduction
in crime-related spending and lost productivity, according
to a study conducted for the Office of National Drug Control Policy3.

The State of Washington4 found that for every dollar
spent in drug court the Criminal Justice System benefits would
be $2.46.

The State of Texas5 found that for every dollar spent
on upgrading drug treatment from the traditional method of adjudication
to drug treatment through DIVERT (drug) Court, $9.43
of costs can
be saved by society over
a 40 month period.

California6, in a study conducted between January 2000
and September 2001, found that during that period the State’s
drug courts saved approximately $43 million in incarceration
costs alone and
collected almost $1 million in fees and fines from drug
court participants.

In the State of New Jersey, drug court participants are expected
to obtain employment, pay penalties, taxes, child support
(if appropriate), victim restitution and otherwise meet financial
obligations.